Is it possible to overdose on Tramadol? In truth, an individual that ingests too much of any type of medication whether prescribed or otherwise is susceptible to an overdose. This is also the case when the medication in question is Tramadol.

Tramadol is intended to be an effective mehtod of treating moderate and severe pain. It is typically only available for use when prescripbed by a doctor. In some instances however, people have been prone to self-medicating. This is a dangerous practice and is done at the detriment of the individual that self-administers this medication. Before using medication for pain it is always important to have a clear understanding of the current levels of pain. For every stage or level of pain there is an appropriate way of medicating an individual. While Tramadol is a highly popular choice for alleviating pain, its true intended use is for more severe levels of discomfort.

Normal Tramadol Dosing

For paitents that are 16 years and older Tramadol may be prescribed in doses of 25-100 milligrams to be taken every 4-6 hours. The dosage for these individuals should never exceed beyond 400 mg on any given day. The dosing may also be based upon the body weight of the patient should the doctor deem this necessary. This is also a standard practice when issuing Tramadol prescriptions to young children.

Individuals that prove to be intolerant to the drug are likely to receive a smaller dose with a gradual increase. The patient, after having shown a drug intolerance may be started at 25 mg per day with an increase of 25 mg every 3 days in order to reach a larger dose of 100 mg per day which is to be ingested 4 times per day. If the intolerant patient is able to take a higher dosage and needs this in order to sufficiently address pain issues, the dose can be increased by doctor's orders again to 50 mg every 3 days in order to reach 200 mg per day. This will be administered as 50 mg taken 4 times daily.

Extended release tablets have a recommended dosage of 100 mg per day which is able to be increased by 100 mg every five days. The dosing for extended release tablets however should never exceed 300 mg per day.

Paitents can take Tramadol with or without food however, in order to avoid stomach upset the medication is recommended to be taken following a meal. It is also recommended that the consume sufficient amounts of water while taking prescribed doses of Tramadol. Tramadol pills are intended to be taken orally and should never be chewed, crushed or dissolved for use by injection.

The Two Types Of Possible Tramadol Overdose

There are two types of possible Tramadol Overdose. Tramadol overdose can be accidental or it can be intentional. In some instances a patient may increase the prescribed dosage due to a missed dose and elevated levels of pain. Accidental ingestion by children can also lead to an overdose. It is most commonly the case however, that an overdose of Tramadol is intentional on the part of the patient.

Individuals that have become dependent upon a Tramadol prescription frequently increase the instructed dose without first getting doctor approval. For instance, the patient may hide his or her use of Tramadol from both friends and family and aquire additional Tramadol prescriptions from various doctors. In some instances some patients with Tramadol dependency issues may wind up taking doses as high as 50 mg as much as 8 times per day. This far exceeds the normal dose and is never recommended.

When an individual feels as those a Tramadol prescription is not performing well, he or she must always first contact the prescribing physician before making any adjustments in the dosing levels. The doctor is able to appropriately adjust the dosage while discussing other methods of pain management. When the body is not able to process additional amounts of a particular drug, in this instance Tramadol, this can lead to both side effects and other severe complications. One common danger for those that overdose on Tramadol is seizures. If Tramadol is used in conjunction with antidepressants or stimulants, the patient is also at risk for Serotonin syndrome. A slow heartbeat, cold and clammy skin, extreme drowsiness, labored or shallow breathing, extreme weakness, light-headedness, fainting and even cardiac arrest or coma are all common signs of a possible Tramadol overdose.

Patients who have the following conditions may be at a greater risk for seizures when taking Tramadol: a history of epilepsy and any other seizure related disorders, drug or alcohol addiction, metabolic disorders and head injury. Those that are currently taking medications for nausea and vomiting or who take antidepressants or muscle relaxants are also at a higher risk for seizures when taking this drug.

It is important for all individuals to discuss any existing conditions with their doctor before accepting a Tramadol prescription. Special testing and dosage adjustments are often necessary for those who have stomach disorders or diseases of the liver or kidneys. A history of mental illness, signficant depression and suicidal thoughts are also pertinent facts to discuss with your doctor as well.